It is currently 10 minutes to 8 pm in Las Vegas.  Tonight, I am heading to the Mirage to see the show “Beatle’s Love.”  My day started at 6:45 am.  I went down to McDonald’s to get my morning coffee for the walk over to Mandalay Bay. 

I began the day participating in a survey conducted by Idexx Labratories.  The purpose of the research survey primarily covered the Lab Request module in Infinity and it’s use with our outside lab, Antech.  Infinity allows our practice management software to create lab request forms, labels for the blood tubes, and automatic importing the test results into the patient’s medical records.  It was a good discussion including another doctor from Indianapolis, IN.

Following the research survey, I spent the remainder of the morning listening to the latest on Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD).  This is a common urinary tract syndrome we diagnosis in our practice.  The first lecture centered around struvites (type of crystal and stone) in the urinary bladder and the current recommendations for the medical management of Struvite Disease.  Behavior management of idiopathic cystitis was next.  Idiopathic cystitis is an inflammatory condition of the bladder of unknown cause.  Stress should be considered as a factor in idiopathic cystitis and behavior modifications may improve clinical symptoms.  Each case will be different and treatment for our feline friends will not only include possible medications but also potential changes in their environment.  The morning lectures concluded with a lecture on picking the right food in FLUTD.  As your veterinarian, we will need to discuss the underlying cause of the disease, nutritional requirements necessary in your situation, effectiveness of the diet being considered and any factors pertinent to your cat and families individual situation.

The chosen path for the afternoon lectures were delivered by Vet-Stem.  The topic was Regenerative Veterinary Medicine.  Further discussion will appear in a blog in the near future.  I have completed the course for certification and will be able to offer this as a treatment option at the Gardner Animal Care Center.  I am excited about the prospect of using stem cells in the treatment of arthritis in our canine patients.  The stem cells being discussed are adult stem cells that come directly from the pet suffering from arthritis.  These are not the same as embryonic stem cells you hear in the news.  For now, I am including a video introduction to Regenerative Veterinary Medicine below.

Today, I learned valuable information to utilize immediately upon my return home, but I have more to learn and share over the next few days.  Until tomorrow, enjoy the video!!